The long-awaited and much-needed renovation of the interior spaces of Geisel Library continues to move forward as Winter Quarter kicks off. Geisel’s 8th floor will remain closed through Winter Quarter 2018 in order to create an updated, modern space for individual study. Construction work is ongoing and the 8th floor is expected to reopen in Spring Quarter 2018. Simultaneously, the restrooms on Geisel’s floors 4 – 7 continue to undergo renovation with the addition of new ADA-accessible and gender-neutral restrooms on each floor.

Throughout the course of the restroom renovations, Geisel’s floors 4 – 7 will remain open, and there will be restroom access on each floor at all times. Restroom renovations on floors 4 – 7 are expected to be completed in late Spring Quarter 2018. Generally, construction will occur in one shift, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exceptions may occur and Library staff will notify users in advance when possible.

With the continuing need to provide quiet study space, Geisel’s 7th floor continues to serve as the temporary silent study floor during the closure of the 8th floor, and the Biomedical Library Building has been declared a Quiet Building indefinitely. The collection of oversized materials that was on Geisel’s 8th floor has been moved to the 6th floor. The Roger catalog can be used to find the current locations of any books.

The renovation of the 8th floor marks the next phase of the Geisel Library Revitalization Initiative (GLRI), which began in 2015 with the construction of Audrey’s Café. Responding to student, faculty, and staff feedback, the renovation sets out to transform the interior public spaces of Geisel Library by dramatically enhancing the user experience through modern, technology-rich spaces that advance research and learning.

Reconstructed painted ceiling of an 18th-century synagogue that once stood in Gwoździec, an exhibition centerpiece at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

The 2017-18 Holocaust Living History Workshops (HLHW) continue this January at the University of California San Diego with six profound lectures focusing on the roles of memory and justice in the process of renewal following the persecution of countless individuals during the Holocaust. The 2018 speakers will remind us that these concepts constitute the threads that run through the tapestry of a history that is tragic yet also inspiring.

Co-hosted by the UC San Diego Library and the UC San Diego Jewish Studies Program, the HLHW lecture series invites members of the public and campus community to attend the events to hear personal stories and memories from Holocaust survivors, witnesses, relatives, and scholars. The goal of the program is to broaden understanding of the past, foster tolerance, and preserve the memory of victims and survivors of the Holocaust while emphasizing their continued relevance in the world today.

All events are free and held on the UC San Diego campus in Geisel Library’s Seuss Room from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with some exceptions (as noted below).

The first event this winter will be held on Wednesday, January 17 featuring William Lerach who was part of a small group of American lawyers who, decades later, exposed the widespread complicity of major Swiss banks and multi-national German corporations in the Holocaust. Lerach will discuss the litigations that recovered stolen property worth several billion dollars. He’s also a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, and is the recipient of the prestigious Legacy Laureate Award from the University of Pittsburgh. Patrick Patterson, a professor of history at UC San Diego, will provide an introduction and comments.

February 7—Face to Face with Demjanjuk: The Elusive Quest for Closure—With Martin Haas

On Wednesday, February 7, the HLHW series will feature UC San Diego professor emeritus Martin Haas who will share the tragic history of his family’s death and his experience in court where he came face-to-face with the man who was involved in his family’s murder. Haas was born into a Dutch-Jewish family and spent World War II in hiding with a Catholic family. In 1946, he was adopted by a distant relative and emigrated to Israel. Years later he moved to California to pursue a Ph.D.

February 28—East West Street: On the Origins of “Genocide” and “Crimes against Humanity”—With Award-Winning Author, Philippe Sands

Sponsored by Michelle and William Lerach

Philippe Sands

An extraordinary tale about human rights and their adversaries sits at the heart of Philippe Sands’ book, East West Street. A professor of law and director of the Centre on International Courts and Tribunals at University College London, Sands is a regular commentator on the BBC and CNN and writes frequently about international law for leading newspapers. He was prominently featured in My Nazi Legacy, a documentary released in 2015.This event will be held in the Hojel Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. with a reception and book signing to follow. Copies of East West Street will be available for purchase at the event from Warwick’s. RSVP is required at hlhw_sands_eventbrite.com. Read more…

A dialog and reception to launch the digital collection of photographs taken by the Committee of Concerned Asian Scholars (CCAS) Friendship Delegations

The UC San Diego Library is pleased to launch a new digital collection of images of early 1970s China contributed by members of the Committee of Concerned Asian Scholars (CCAS) Friendship Delegations.

You are cordially invited to a dialog and reception with CCAS delegates and contributors to the collection on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-6pm in Geisel’s Seuss Room. RSVP here.

The event features Paul Pickowicz, distinguished professor of history and Chinese studies at UC San Diego, and William Joseph, professor of political science at Wellesley College, sharing their experiences while traveling in mainland China followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Light refreshments will be served. Read more…

Instructors who plan to offer Library-supported course reserves during winter quarter 2018 should submit requests at https://reserves.ucsd.edu/ares/ as soon as possible. Requests submitted after December 20, 2017 may not be available for student use until after winter quarter instruction has begun.

As noted on the Library Hours web page, all UC San Diego Library buildings, including the Geisel Library and the Biomedical Library, will be CLOSED from Saturday, December 23, 2017, to Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Library buildings will reopen on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

When she arrived at Birch Aquarium in 2014, the juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtle weighed just 74.5 pounds. She has since thrived, gaining more than 130 pounds.

“That growth has really exacerbated her condition. Without our intervention, the sea turtle could have gastro-intestinal and urogenital systems complications,” said Jenn Nero Moffatt, senior director of animal care, science and conservation for the aquarium. “We teamed up with the Digital Media Lab at Geisel Library to create a brace that will prevent the shell from curving further downward and will promote more normal growth. It’s our goal to prevent further complications and keep her as healthy and happy as possible.” Read more…

The Library offers many ways to recharge your technology and communication devices. Look for three types of free-standing charging stations throughout the two buildings. Individual chargers are available from the Tech Lending Program and charging lockers are available near Geisel’s Information Desk.

The Library offers many ways to recharge your technology and communication devices. Look for 3 types of free-standing charging stations throughout the two buildings. Individual chargers are available from the Tech Lending Program and charging lockers are available near Geisel’s Information Desk.